Last Updated: July 2025

If you're a business owner earning Brex points, you're sitting on a goldmine of travel opportunities—but only if you know how to use them strategically. While most business credit cards limit you to cashback or statement credits, Brex opens up a world of premium travel through its airline transfer partners.

Here's the thing: transferring Brex points to airline partners can unlock 2-5x more value than redeeming for cash. I'm talking about flying business class to Europe, securing last-minute domestic flights at reasonable rates, or even experiencing Emirates first class—all possible with the points you're earning from everyday business expenses.

In this comprehensive guide, I'll walk you through everything you need to know about Brex's seven airline transfer partners, the best redemption sweet spots, and how to maximize every point you've earned. Whether you're planning your next business trip or looking to treat your team to something special, understanding these transfer options is crucial for getting the most from your Brex rewards.

Quick Answer: Brex Points Transfer Partners Overview

Brex currently offers seven airline transfer partners across all three major alliances plus Emirates. All partners share the same transfer ratio of 1,670:1,000 (or 1.67:1), with a minimum transfer of 1,000 points. The partners include Air France/KLM Flying Blue, Aeromexico Club Premier, Avianca LifeMiles, Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer, Cathay Pacific Asia Miles, Qantas Frequent Flyer, and Emirates Skywards.

Understanding Brex Points and Transfer Basics

What Are Brex Points Worth?

Before diving into transfer partners, let's establish a baseline. When you redeem Brex points for cash back or statement credits, you'll get 0.6 cents per point. That means 10,000 Brex points equals $60 in value—not terrible, but not great either.

However, when you transfer those same points to airline partners, the math changes dramatically. Even with the 1.67:1 transfer ratio, you can easily achieve 1.5-3 cents per mile in value with strategic redemptions. That transforms your 10,000 Brex points into $90-180 worth of flights—or even more for premium cabin redemptions.

How the Transfer Process Works

Transferring Brex points is refreshingly straightforward:

1. Log into your Brex dashboard
2. Navigate to the Rewards section
3. Click on "Marketplace" then "Redeem" under Miles
4. Select your airline partner
5. Enter the number of points to transfer
6. Input your frequent flyer number
7. Confirm the transfer

One unique advantage? Unlike other programs that require transfers in fixed increments (usually 1,000 points), Brex allows you to transfer exact amounts. Need 1,942 miles for a redemption? You can transfer exactly 3,243 Brex points to get there.

Transfer Times and Considerations

Most transfers process within one business day, and many are instantaneous. However, I always recommend initiating transfers only when you have confirmed award availability. Once points leave your Brex account, they're subject to the airline's rules and can't be transferred back.

Complete List of Brex Transfer Partners

Let me break down each transfer partner, their alliance, and what makes them valuable for business travelers:

Transfer Partner Overview:

• Air France/KLM Flying Blue (SkyTeam) - 1.67:1 ratio - Best for Europe & Promo Rewards
• Aeromexico Club Premier (SkyTeam) - 1.67:1 ratio - Best for Delta redemptions
• Avianca LifeMiles (Star Alliance) - 1.67:1 ratio - Best for no fuel surcharges
• Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer (Star Alliance) - 1.67:1 ratio - Best for premium cabins & Hawaii
• Cathay Pacific Asia Miles (Oneworld) - 1.67:1 ratio - Best for Asia & partner awards
• Qantas Frequent Flyer (Oneworld) - 1.67:1 ratio - Best for Australia & EL AL
• Emirates Skywards (Non-alliance) - 1.67:1 ratio - Best for premium Emirates flights

Air France/KLM Flying Blue (SkyTeam)

Flying Blue has become a favorite among savvy business travelers, and for good reason. Despite dynamic pricing, they regularly offer excellent value, especially during their monthly Promo Rewards sales.

Why Flying Blue matters for business travelers:

• Regular 25-50% discounts on select routes during Promo Rewards
• Excellent availability to Europe from major US business hubs
• Access to both Air France and KLM's extensive networks
• Reasonable surcharges compared to other European carriers

Best redemptions:

• US West Coast to Paris/Amsterdam: 53,000 miles roundtrip in economy
• During Promo Rewards: As low as 40,000 miles roundtrip
• Business class to Europe: Starting at 53,000 miles one-way

Aeromexico Club Premier (SkyTeam)

While Aeromexico Club Premier redemptions on their own flights offer poor value, this program has a secret weapon: access to Delta award space that's often unavailable through Delta's own program.

Strategic uses:

• Booking Delta flights when SkyMiles availability is scarce
• Access to SkyTeam partner awards
• Occasionally better pricing on Delta flights than using SkyMiles

Redemptions to avoid:

• Aeromexico's own flights (poor value with high taxes)
• The mythical round-the-world award (nearly impossible to book)

Avianca LifeMiles (Star Alliance)

LifeMiles stands out for one major reason: no fuel surcharges on partner awards. This can save hundreds of dollars on international redemptions, especially valuable for business travelers watching expenses.

Where LifeMiles shines:

• Lufthansa first class without $600+ surcharges
• United Airlines domestic and international flights
• Mixed-cabin awards at reasonable rates
• Cash + points options during sales

Sweet spots:

• US to Europe in business: 63,000 miles one-way
• Lufthansa first class: 87,000 miles one-way (no surcharges!)
• Central/South America: Starting at 25,000 miles roundtrip

Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer (Star Alliance)

Singapore's KrisFlyer program offers unique value propositions, especially for business travelers heading to Asia or looking for Hawaii deals.

KrisFlyer advantages:

• Exclusive access to Singapore's premium cabins
• Excellent Star Alliance redemption rates
• Unique Hawaii sweet spot through United
• Reasonable fuel surcharges

Top redemptions:

• US mainland to Hawaii on United: 35,000 miles roundtrip
• Singapore Suites: Starting at 85,000 miles one-way
• US to Europe on partners: 55,000 miles roundtrip in economy

Cathay Pacific Asia Miles (Oneworld)

Asia Miles provides excellent access to Oneworld partners, particularly valuable for business travel to Asia and the Pacific.

Why consider Asia Miles:

• Access to Cathay's excellent business class
• Reasonable partner award pricing
• Good availability on transpacific routes
• Distance-based award chart

Best uses:

• Cathay Pacific business class to Asia: 85,000 miles one-way
• Partner awards on American, British Airways, and Qantas
• Short-haul Asia flights at excellent rates

Qantas Frequent Flyer (Oneworld)

Qantas Frequent Flyer points offer unique redemption opportunities, particularly for flights to Australia and on partner EL AL.

Strategic applications:

• Direct flights to Australia and New Zealand
• EL AL business class (one of few transfer options)
• American Airlines redemptions
• Emirates partnership for additional options

Notable sweet spots:

• US to Australia in business: Starting at 108,400 points one-way
• EL AL business class to Tel Aviv: 90,000-119,200 points one-way

Emirates Skywards (Non-alliance)

Emirates Skywards gives you access to one of the world's most luxurious airlines, though redemptions come with caveats.

When Emirates makes sense:

• You want the Emirates first class experience
• Fifth freedom routes (like NYC-Milan)
• Last-minute award availability
• JetBlue Mint redemptions

Important notes:

• High surcharges on most routes
• Unique mileage expiration policy (3 years from earning)
• Limited partner redemption options

Sweet Spot Redemptions for Business Travelers

Let's talk about redemptions that deliver exceptional value for business travelers. These are the bookings that can turn your Brex points into memorable experiences or significant travel savings.

Domestic Business Travel

Singapore KrisFlyer for United flights to Hawaii

• Requires: 58,450 Brex points roundtrip (35,000 KrisFlyer miles)
• Cash value: Often $800-1,200
• Return: 1.4-2.1 cents per Brex point

Avianca LifeMiles for last-minute United flights

• Requires: 20,900-33,400 Brex points one-way
• Best for: Booking within 2 weeks of travel
• No close-in booking fees

International Business Class

Air France Flying Blue to Europe

• Requires: 88,510 Brex points one-way (53,000 Flying Blue miles)
• Routes: Major US cities to Paris/Amsterdam
• Value: Often 2-3 cents per Brex point

Avianca LifeMiles for Lufthansa First Class

• Requires: 145,290 Brex points one-way (87,000 LifeMiles)
• Benefit: No fuel surcharges (saves $600+)
• Experience: One of the world's best first class products

Asia-Pacific Business Travel

Singapore KrisFlyer for premium cabins

• Singapore Suites: Starting at 141,950 Brex points
• Access to exclusive award space
• 15% discount when booking online

Cathay Pacific Asia Miles

• Business class to Asia: 141,950 Brex points one-way
• Excellent availability from West Coast
• Access to Cathay's highly-rated business class

Strategic Positioning Flights

Emirates for fifth freedom routes

• JFK-Milan in business: 106,880 Brex points one-way
• Experience Emirates without flying to Dubai
• Often excellent last-minute availability

How to Transfer Brex Points Step-by-Step

Let me walk you through the exact process of transferring your Brex points:

Step 1: Check Award Availability First

Before transferring any points, always confirm award availability on the airline's website. Log into the frequent flyer program and search for your desired flights. Only proceed with transfers once you've found available seats.

Step 2: Access Your Brex Rewards Dashboard

1. Log into your Brex account at brex.com
2. Click on "Rewards" in the left sidebar
3. Navigate to the main rewards dashboard

Step 3: Navigate to Transfer Partners

1. Click on "Marketplace" on the left side
2. Select "Redeem" under the Miles section
3. You'll see all seven transfer partners listed

Step 4: Initiate the Transfer

1. Click on your chosen airline partner
2. Enter the number of Brex points to transfer
3. The system will show how many airline miles you'll receive
4. Select which cardholder's points to use

Step 5: Enter Loyalty Program Details

1. Input your frequent flyer number for the airline
2. Ensure the name matches exactly between accounts
3. Double-check the number—mistakes can't be reversed

Step 6: Confirm and Complete

1. Review all transfer details
2. Accept the terms and conditions
3. Click "Confirm" to process the transfer
4. Save your confirmation email

Step 7: Book Your Award

1. Miles typically appear within minutes to 24 hours
2. Once miles post, complete your award booking immediately
3. Award space can disappear quickly

Pro tip: If you're unsure about availability, you can place most awards on hold for 24-72 hours with certain airlines, giving you time to transfer points.

Brex vs. Other Transfer Programs

Understanding how Brex compares to other transferable point programs helps you maximize your entire rewards portfolio. Here's how Brex stacks up:

Brex Transfer Program:

• Transfer Ratio: 1.67:1 (less favorable)
• Airline Partners: 7 partners
• Hotel Partners: 0 partners
• Transfer Time: Instant to 24 hours
• Unique Partners: None
• Business Focus: Exclusively for businesses

Compared to competitors:

• American Express Membership Rewards: 17 airline partners, 3 hotel partners, mostly 1:1 transfers
• Chase Ultimate Rewards: 11 airline partners, 3 hotel partners, all 1:1 transfers
• Capital One Miles: 15 airline partners, 3 hotel partners, all 1:1 transfers
• Citi ThankYou Points: 18 airline partners, 2 hotel partners, all 1:1 transfers
• Bilt Rewards: 16 airline partners, 5 hotel partners, all 1:1 transfers

Where Brex Excels

Despite the less favorable transfer ratio, Brex has unique advantages:

1. Business-specific earning: Up to 8x points on software subscriptions
2. No transfer minimums: Transfer exact amounts needed
3. Strategic partner selection: Coverage across all alliances
4. Integrated expense management: Seamless with business operations

Maximizing Value Despite the Ratio

To overcome the 1.67:1 transfer ratio, focus on:

• High-value redemptions (2.5+ cents per mile)
• Transfer bonuses when offered
• Sweet spot awards that competitors can't access
• Combining with other programs strategically

Transfer Bonuses and Promotions

While transfer bonuses are less common with Brex than other programs, they do occasionally appear. Here's what to watch for:

Historical Transfer Bonuses

• Air France/KLM: 25% bonus (making the ratio effectively 1.34:1)
• Avianca LifeMiles: 15% bonus during promotional periods
• Emirates: Occasional 20% bonuses for first-time transfers

How to Stay Informed

1. Enable Brex notifications: Opt-in for rewards program updates
2. Check the dashboard regularly: Bonuses often appear without email notice
3. Follow aviation blogs: Transfer bonuses are big news in the points community
4. Plan strategically: Don't transfer speculatively, even with bonuses

When Transfer Bonuses Make Sense

• You have immediate travel plans
• The bonus brings the ratio closer to 1:1
• You're targeting a specific high-value redemption
• Award space is currently available

Remember: even with a 25% bonus, Brex's effective ratio would be 1.34:1, still less favorable than most competitors' standard rates.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Let me save you from the pitfalls I've seen business owners encounter:

1. Transferring Without Checking Availability

The mistake: Moving points to an airline before confirming award seats The fix: Always search for awards first, then transfer only what you need

2. Ignoring Fuel Surcharges

The mistake: Focusing only on miles required, not total cost The fix: Check total fees before transferring—Avianca for Lufthansa beats using Lufthansa's own program

3. Hoarding Points in Airline Programs

The mistake: Transferring speculatively to "top off" airline accounts The fix: Keep points in Brex until you're ready to book—airlines devalue without warning

4. Overlooking Transfer Times

The mistake: Assuming all transfers are instant The fix: Allow 24-48 hours for transfers when planning time-sensitive bookings

5. Chasing Poor Value Redemptions

The mistake: Using Aeromexico points for Aeromexico flights The fix: Research sweet spots—sometimes the obvious use isn't the best use

6. Not Comparing Cash Prices

The mistake: Assuming points are always better than cash The fix: Calculate cents per point value—aim for at least 2 cents per Brex point

Advanced Strategies for Business Owners

Combining Programs Strategically

Since Brex points are harder to earn than personal card points, use them strategically:

1. Fill gaps in your portfolio: Use Brex for airlines you can't access elsewhere
2. Top off accounts: Perfect for adding exact amounts needed
3. Access exclusive space: Some partners release better awards to their own members

Tax Implications

Unlike cash back, points transferred to airline programs typically aren't taxable income. However:

• Document business purpose for travel
• Keep records of redemptions
• Consult your tax professional for specific situations

Team Travel Coordination

Brex's business focus offers unique advantages:

• Admins can book travel for any employee
• Points can be pooled at the account level
• Transfer to employee frequent flyer accounts
• Coordinate group award bookings

Expense Management Integration

Maximize value by:

• Setting category-specific cards for highest earnings
• Using virtual cards for software subscriptions (7x points)
• Booking through Brex Travel when cash prices are low
• Tracking ROI on points earned vs. annual fees

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What's the minimum transfer amount for Brex points? A: 1,000 points is the minimum, but unlike other programs, you can transfer any amount above that minimum (like 1,234 points).

Q: How long do transfers take? A: Most complete within 24 hours, with many being instantaneous. Always allow extra time for important bookings.

Q: Can I reverse a transfer? A: No, all transfers are final. Once points leave Brex, they can't be returned.

Q: Do transferred miles expire? A: Yes, they follow each airline's expiration policy. Emirates is notably strict (3 years from earning).

Q: Is the transfer ratio the same for all partners? A: Yes, all seven partners have the same 1.67:1 ratio (1,670 Brex points = 1,000 airline miles).

Q: Can I transfer points to someone else's frequent flyer account? A: You can transfer to any employee with a Brex card, and they can then transfer to their own airline accounts.

Q: What happens to my points if I close my Brex account? A: You typically have 60 days to use or transfer points before account closure. Don't wait—transfer or redeem immediately.

Q: Are there ever promotions for better transfer ratios? A: Transfer bonuses occasionally appear but are less common than with other programs. Check your dashboard regularly.

Key Takeaways

Brex's transfer partners open up a world of premium travel for business owners, despite the less favorable 1.67:1 ratio. Success comes from focusing on high-value redemptions where you're getting at least 2.5 cents per mile in value.

Remember these critical points:

• All seven partners use the same 1.67:1 transfer ratio
• Flying Blue and Avianca LifeMiles often provide the best value
• Always confirm award availability before transferring
• Sweet spots can deliver 3-7 cents per Brex point in value
• The exact transfer amounts feature is unique and valuable

Whether you're booking business travel, rewarding your team, or planning a well-deserved vacation, understanding these transfer partners transforms your Brex points from simple cash back into premium travel experiences.

Next Steps

Ready to put your Brex points to work? Start by:

1. Auditing your points balance in the Brex dashboard
2. Joining all seven airline programs (it's free)
3. Setting travel goals for the next 12 months
4. Practicing award searches to familiarize yourself with each program
5. Bookmarking this guide for future reference

The business expenses you're already making can fund incredible travel experiences. Now you have the knowledge to make it happen.

Have questions about maximizing your business travel rewards? The Points Party is here to help you navigate the complex world of points and miles. Check out our guide to the best business credit cards or explore how to maximize your business travel for more strategies.

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